Clock-winding mechanism



(No Model.)

M. 'BV ERHART; cLocK WINDING MECHANISM.

No. 505,704. Patented Sept. 26, 1893.

' INVENTOR ATTORNEYS.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

MARTIN EVERHART, OF AUSTIN, TEXAS.

CLOCK-WINDING MECHANISM.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 505,704, datedSeptember 26, 1893.

pplicati filed MR5 1893. Serial No.4'73,688. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, MARTIN EVERHART, of Austin, in the county of Travisand State of Texas, have invented a new and useful Improved Apparatusfor WVinding Clocks, of which the following is a full, clear, and exactdescription.

This invention relates to an improved mechanism for the periodicalautomatic winding of clocks by water power, and has for its object toprovide an apparatus that will be adapted to utilize the power adordedby the gravity of water discharged at regular intervals from a tank,which is in an elevated position and is supplied with water by rain fallor other means.

To this end my invention consists in the construction and combination ofparts, as is hereinafter described and claimed.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings forming a part ofthis specification, in which similar figures and letters of referenceindicate corresponding parts in all the views.

Figure 1 is a rearview of the device partly in section, in a buildingshown broken and in section. Fig. 2 is a sectional side view of theapparatus and a sectional side view broken, of the building containingthe improvement. Fig. 3 represents an enlarged side view of a detail ofconstruction located oppositethe arrow 3 in Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a partlysectional side view of the detail shown in Fig. 3,0n the line 44 in saidfigure; and Fig. 5 represents the parts shown in Fig. 3, difierentlyadjusted from that indicated in said figure.

It is a feature of the invention, to utilize rain water for the periodicmovement of the automatically winding mechanism of the clock, that is tobe thus kept running regularly for an indefinite period. To this end,the volume of water that falls during a rain upon a certain area of ahouse roof, is caught and stored in a tank, from which it is dischargedin a manner and at such times as will adapt the gravity of thedischarged water to operate novel mechanism, that in turn winds theclock connected thereto, at predetermined intervals of time.

In the drawings A, represents a portion of abuilding havinga pitchedroof, in one sloped side of which roof a sheet metal piece 10, is

introduced as indicated in Fig. 1; said plate may be a part of the roof,or be imposed on it in a manner that will adapt it to receive rain onits exposed surface, and by means of a raised ledge 11, formed orsecured on the plate, direct rain water from the roof portion above saidledge into a vertically descending pipe 12, that with its upper end tapsthe plate 10, above the ledge.

A tank 13, of sufficient capacity for the retention of an ample volumeof rain water is provided and located on the floor A, of the buildingbelow the roof and preferably with one and below the pipe 12, said tankbeing covered.

Below and near to the pipe 12, a water trap 14, is placed, occupying aposition between the lower end of said pipe and the tank 13.

As shown, the trap 14, consists of a box that is of a suitable capacityto serve as a tunnel for the reception and discharge of rainwater thatwill pass down through pipe 12, and in the trap an upright partition14L, is erected which is preferably made lower than the top edge of thetrap, which latter is provided with a discharge pipe 141 that extendsfrom its bottom into the tank 13, and may serve as a support for thetrap box, as shown in Fig. 1.

A waste pipe 14, is extended from the end of the trap 14., toward theroof of the building, and projects through it to permit the escape ofwater from the trap box that may enter it between the partition wall 14.and end wall of the trap from which the Waste pipe extends.

Within the tank 13, a partition wall 13 is erected and a filteringscreen 13 is introduced therein, which will arrest dirt and leaves thatmay enter the tank through the pipe 12, the latter being extended forthe controlled discharge of water, byavibratile pipe section 12, that ispivoted by its upper end to the lower end portion of the vertical pipe12, and is of such a relative length as will permit its free lower endto be swung across the partition wall 14., so as to discharge water itreceives, on either side of said partition.

On the end wall of the tank 13, that is near to the discharge pipe 14",a lever 15, is pivoted by one of its ends, the free end having a float15 secured upon it, from which alimb 15", projects, that extends abovethe top edge of the partition 13, and will rest on it when the float iscaused to descend by its gravity toward the bottom of the tank.

From the lever 15, a standard 15 is erected, which extends through anaperture in the lid of the tank 13, to a proper height to permit a ring15 formed on the terminal of its lat;- erally bent upper end, to looselyencircle the body of the vibratile pipe section 12 as shown in Fig. 1.

An upright casing 16, is erected in a room B of the building A,preferably below the tank 13, said casing having a portion of one of itssides 16, hinged to the other fixed portion so that the upper part ofthe case side may be lowered to expose interior parts.

\Vithin the casing 16, near its upper end, a horizontal shaft 17, isjournaled by its ends in the front and rear walls of the casing asrepresented in Fig. 2, and on said shaft the pulley wheels 18, 19, 20and 21, are secured.

There is a water receptacle 22, provided, which maybe shaped as shown inFigs. land 2, or be given any other preferred form, the material fromwhich it is produced being sheet metal, or other equally light andstrong and thin material thatis waterproof and rigid, said receptacle orpail having a firmly secured bail handle 22, extended from near itsupper edge, to which bail a cord 23, is attached by one end, itsopposite end engaging the periphery of the preferably spiral groovedpulley wheel 19, whereby the pail is suspended, and adapted for avertical reciprocation when the shaft 17 is rotated alternately inopposite directions.

There is a suitable aperture formed in the bottom of the water pail 22,that is normally closed by a valve 22 which is secured on a valve stem22, that loosely engages its lower projected end with the perforatedbracket loop 22, which is affixed upon the pail bottom, the upperportion of the stem sliding freely through a perforated horizontal braceplate that is a fixture on the bail 22.

From the bottom wall of the tank 13, a water conductor pipe 24, isdownwardly extended of a proper length to permit the pail 22, to receivewater therefrom when the latter is in elevated adjustment, as will befurther explained. In the body of the pipe 24, a plug valve 24, isintroduced, the plug of which valve is furnished at one end with a disk24, for its rotatable movement, which movement is limited by the checkpins 24, 2 1, that project at a proper distance apart from the side ofthe disk nearest to the body of the valve, and upon each side of thedischarge end of the conductor pipe 21, as plainly shown in Figs. 3,atand 5. Itwill be noticed, that when the pin 24. has contact with saidpipe, the water passage through the valve plug will align with the boreof the pipe 24, and thus afford a clear water way through the valve, arocking adjustment of the valve plug that brings the other pin 24. incontact with the conductor pipe effecting a complete closure of thevalve, as represented by dotted lines in Fig. 3.

On the edge of the disk 21", an arm 21 is radially projected and has aweight 24*, secured upon its outer end, the disposition of the lattercausing the plug of the valve to rotate sulliciently to locate the pin21, against the pipe 21, and open the valve, if the plugis free to moveas stated.

On the casing 16, the clock 25, is mounted, at a point that will locatethe rear wallof its case adjacent to the water conductor pipe 2' andfrom this side of the clock case the spring winding arbors 25, 25, areprojected outwardly of a proper length to receive the pulleys 25, thatare seen red on them. -Therela tive positions of the arbors 25, 25 whichrespectively support and are affixed to the spring that drives the timemeasuring gear train, and the spring which actuates the strikingmechanism of the clock, (not shown) adapts the pulleys thereon, to befiexiblyconnected to the pulleys 20 and 21, by the cords 21 and 20, thatare attached by their ends upon the peripheries of the pulleysmentioned. The cords 21 20, are given such a relative length, as willpermit them to hang slackened when the pail 22, is located near theconductor pipe 24, and they are secured to the pulleys they respectivelyengage, on sides of the latter, that will adapt the regular runningmovement of the arbors 25, 25", to wind up said slackness of the cordsmentioned.

On the pulley 18, a cord 18, is secured by one end, and upon the otherend a weight 18", is attached, the latter havingaheft sufficient toovercome the weight of the empty pail 22, and friction of parts, so thatwhen the weight is elevated by the wrapped engagement of the cord 18,with the periphery of the pulleylS, its subsequent descent will beadapted to elevate the pail to a point where it may receive water fromthe conductor pipe 24, the diameter of the pulley 18, and length of thecord thereon being arranged to permit the weight 18", to rest on thebottom of the casing 16, when the pail 22, is at a proper height.

On the side of the valve body 2%, that is nearest to the arm 21 abracket post 26, is secured by its lower end, the upper end of said postaffording support for one end of a latch bar 27 that is pivoted thereto,said bar having a catch hook 27, projected from its lower side, thatwill interlock with a similar catch hook 28, formed on the periphery ofthe disk 24", at such a point as will detachably retain the valve plugin closed adjustment and the weighted arm 24:, elevated above ahorizontal plane, as represented in Fig. 3, this interlocking engagementbeing effected by the gravity of the latch bar when it is free to falland have its hook 27, brought into contact with the periphery of thedisk 21 The reduced end of the plug in valve 24, projects through theperforated valve body at its center, forming a watertight jointtherewith, and opposite from the plug end that sustains the disk 24. Onsaid projected end of the plug a rocking lever 29, is loosely secured byone end, its outer end having a weight29, affixed to it, which weightisheavier than weight 2%., Hence lever 29, will normally lie in loweredadjustment. From the outer face of the disk 21", a pin 24 is projected;this pin being located at a proper distance above pin 24, is impingedupon by lever 29, which will cause the disk to rock, close the valve,and hold the arm 2?, upwardly and outwardly projected, as shown in Fig.3.

A tripping rod 30, is furnished, which has its lower end loosely securedto the weight 29", and projects upwardly through an eyehole 27*, on theend of the latch bar 27, also passing through a bracket block 31, thatis fixed on the side of the casing 16, the upper portion of the trippingrod being bent to extend its end in the path of the cord 21, which cordpasses through the ring eye 30, that is formed on the end of thetripping rod, the weight of the latter co-acting with the weight of therocking lever and weight 29, to depress these connected parts.

An enlargement 21 is formed on or secured to the cord 21, between theend of the latter that is secured to the pulley 21, and the ring eye 30,which projection when brought into contact with the tripping rod 30,will elevate it and the rocking lever 29.

In the casing 16, a waste water pan 31, is located resting on the bottomwall of the same, and from the pan a spout 31, is extended through thewall of the house, so as to convey any water that enters the pan out ofthe building and discharge it into a vessel 32, or upon the ground.

The tank 13, may be supplied with water by hand to start the apparatus,or if the inflow of rain water is awaited, the clock can be woundmanually by a rotation of the arbors 25, 25".

The fall of rain upon the building roof, will cause an inflow of waterthrough the pipe 12, and vibratile pipe section 12, that is adjusted toconvey the water into the pipe 149, by the depression of the lever 15,which is held ata proper angle by the seated engagement of thehorizontal limb 15, with the top edge of the partition 13. It will beobserved, that when the Water stored in the tank 13, reaches a properelevation, the upward movement of the float 15, will vibrate the pipesection 12, and direct a further inflow of water, into the waste pipelet, from which it will escape upon the roof of the building, and thusavoid an overflow of the tank.

hen the tank 13 is charged with water, the conductor pipe 24, will befilled with water from the tank, the plug of the valve 24*, preventingan escape of water when it is in closed adjustment, which adjustment iseffected while the cords 20, 21, are slackened, the latter namedcondition resulting when the pail 22, is elevated by the weight 18 to befilled with water and when this is effected, said pail, by the increaseof weight thus produced is caused to descend and impinge the lower endof the valve stem 22, upon the bottom of the pan 31, thus opening thevalve 22, and permitting water in the pail to flow therefrom.

The slackened condition of the cords 20, 21, will be taken up on thepulleys 25, by the rotation of the arbors 25, 25 as they are impelled bytheir winding springs, and when the cord 21, having the projection 21",is so wound upon the pulley of the arbor 25", as to elevate the weight29 a proper degree, the rocking lever 29, will be raised and the latchbar 27 also, thus releasing the disk 24, which will be sufficientlyrotated by the weighted arm 2 1, to cause the hole in the plug of thevalve 24:, to align with the bore of the pipe 24:, and permit a freeflow of water from the tank 13 into the pail 22, that has beenpreviously elevated by the fall of the weight 18", and rotation of theshaft 17 effected thereby.

It will be seen that the descent of the filled Water pail 22, causes thetaut cords 20, 21, to rotate the arbors 25, 25, periodically, asufficient degree to rewind the driving springs of the clock, the lengthof the cords named and relative diameters given to the pulleys engagedby them, determining the intervals of time between successive windingsof the springs, which may be made so frequent, that the maximum strengthof the springs for driving purposes, may be maintained, and the clock becaused to run more regularly and keep better time, than if wound by handless frequently.

If preferred, the pulley 18, cord 18, and weight 18, may be dispensedwith and the elevation of the pail 22, be eifected more gradually, bythe running movement of the arbors 25, 25 that will take up the cords20, 21, and rotate the shaft 17, in a proper direction to wrap the cord23, on the pulley 19, which will effect the hoisting movement of thepail in an obvious manner.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secureby Letters Patent- 1. An apparatus for winding clocks, comprising anelevated water supply, a conductor pipe depending therefrom and having aplug valve at its lower end, a casing supporting the clock, a verticallyreciprocating water receptacle in the casing, having a gravity valve inits base, a horizontal shaft rotatable in the casing, having pulleysthereon, flexible connections between said pulleys and pulleys'on thewinding arbors of the clock, and a device for operating the valve of theconductor pipe and controlled by one of said flexible connections,substantially as described.

2. An apparatus for winding clocks, comprising an elevated tank in abuilding, means to direct rain water from the roof of the building intosaid tank, a conductor pipe depending from the tank and having a plugvalve at its lower end, a casing supporting the clock, a verticallyreciprocating water receptacle in the casing, adapted to discharge waterfrom its base when lowered, a horizontal shaft rotatably supported inthe casing, having pulleys thereon, flexible connections between saidpulleys and pulleys on the winding arbors of the clock, and a device foroperating the valve of the conductor pipe, controlled by one of saidflexible connections,substantially as described.

3. An apparatus for winding clocks, comprising an elevated tank in abuilding, means to direct rain water from the roof of the building intosaid tank, a device controlling the Water supply for the tank, aconductor pipe depending from the tank, having a plug valve at its lowerend, a casing supporting the clock,

MARTIN EVERIIART.

lVitnesses:

J AMES CALDWELL, JOHN T. WILSON.

